The Model 1873 is one of the most famous of all American firearms and has been popularly known as "the Gun that Won the West" due to its popularity with pioneers. It was often paired with a Colt Single Action Army or other revolver chambered for the popular .44-40 W.C.F. cartridges. This made carrying ammunition for both your rifle and your revolver simple and allowed an individual to be ready to defend themselves against man or beast in a variety of tough situations. This classic early Model 1873 comes out of the lifetime western collection of the late John Fox of Montana and definitely has that classic frontier look. The factory letter indicates this rifle was received in the warehouse on June 14, 1875, and shipped five days later on June 19 in order 3350 with an octagon barrel and set trigger. The rifle has the very desirable late first model dust cover with integral "thumb print" that rides in grooves mortised directly into the frame. It is equipped with a Beach combination front sight, an elevation adjustable rear sight, a single set trigger, and the standard straight grain walnut stock and forearm with steel buttplate (compartment empty). The barrel is marked with the two-line address and King's improvement patent marking, and the frame has "Model. 1873." on the upper tang and the serial number in script on the lower tang. Since it is an early Model 1873, it correctly does not have caliber markings on the barrel or the elevator. The combination of an improved Beach front sight and a single set trigger would have made this rifle especially accurate.

There are traces of original blue around the magazine band and the sights, but most of the metal surfaces otherwise display an authentic deep brown patina along with some minor oxidation and pitting that you would expect from a rifle of this age that was used on the frontier. The front sight bead is absent. The wood has generally smooth hand-worn oiled finish, edge wear around the wrist, and a variety of minor dings and scratches. The set trigger needs some work, but the rifle is otherwise mechanically fine. This rifle looks like it was just discovered tucked away in an old cabin out among the Rockies. Provenance: The John Fox Collection.